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Wild Wings, which houses and cares for more than 30 permanently injured birds of prey unable to survive in the wild, has announced the death of its only non-raptor.

“Our hearts are heavy at Wild Wings as we share with everyone the passing of our beloved bobcat, Tara,” the nonprofit sanctuary and educational organization wrote on its website and Instagram.

Described as “21 years young,” Tara was taken in by Wild Wings as a baby in 1997 at the request of the Department of Environmental Conservation. (Tara had been bred in captivity for the illegal exotic pet trade and declawed by a breeder.) She remained extremely active at the Wild Wings campus in Mendon Ponds Park until a few weeks ago. Then she started limping. On Wednesday, tests revealed bone cancer.

“The only humane option was to have the vets euthanize her,” Wild Wings stated.

It isn't unheard of for bobcats to live into their early 20s in captivity, but it isn't common, said Wild Wings director Terry Kozakiewicz; most don't make it out of their early teens. In the wild, life expectancy is far shorter — four to five years.

Still, “It's just hard," she said. Tara was a favorite among Wild Wings visitors, especially children, Kozakiewicz said, adding, "It's tough on our volunteers. It's tough on people who’ve been with her for years."